Evaluating the Longevity and Hydraulic Performance of Permeable Reactive Barriers at Department of Defense Sites
Abstract
The goal of this project was to evaluate short- and long-term performance issues associated with permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) installed at several U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) sites. A PRB is a passive, in situ technology, in which natural groundwater flow brings contaminants into contact with a reactive or adsorptive material that removes the dissolved contaminants and protects downgradient receptors. Therefore, PRBs have potentially lower life cycle costs compared to an equivalent pump-and-treat system. The key regulatory driver for the technology is the proven ability of common barrier materials, such as elemental iron, to meet groundwater cleanup standards for many common contaminants, including chlorinated solvents and certain heavy metals. Regulatory interest in this project was driven by the two challenges involved in implementing PRBs, namely, their longevity and hydraulic performance. The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) sponsored this project. The Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (NFESC) was the lead agency for the DoD project. Battelle, under contract to NFESC, planned and implemented the technical scope and has prepared this report to summarize the results. The Remediation Technologies Development Forum (RTDF) Permeable Barriers Work Group and the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) Permeable Reactive Barriers Team provided document review support for the project.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA604091
Entities
Organizations
- Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center